The file cannot be opened. Error message.

[COlsen]

Has anyone else seen this message and what did you do to prevent this from
happening?

When we try to save our Microsoft Project 2003 files, we may receive the
following error message:

The file cannot be opened.

Check that the file name and path are correct
Check that the file format is recognized by Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project files saved in a version earlier than Microsoft Project 98
can't be opened.

If your file is from an earlier version, open it in that version, click Save
as (File menu), and save in MPX format. Open the MPX file in the current
version of Microsoft Project. When you use this method, project data is
imported, but formatting is lost.

We are using Microsoft Project 2003 SP2 and saving to a networked server
from which the file has been opened and previously successfully saved.

We have developed a workaround by saving as a template and then opening and
saving the file back to an .mpp format.

 

[Jim Aksel]

Saving as a template with re-open is a smart work around. I have seen this a
few times, typically when a network connection gets dropped. In these cases
we have copy/pasted to a new file, or, saved as XML and then reopened.

Be thankful you have the file opened when it happens.

Avoid it? Gee, that implies we know what caused it. We have started taking
copies of files off the network, working them locally, and then putting them
back. If you feel network issues may be your root cause, try it. If not, see
what may best work in your world (no attitude intended).
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

 

[COlsen]

Thank you Jim

Your observation was confirmed by 2 other sources at my end. This error
seems to be a result of a network problem.

The other solution is to work locally and then save the file back to a
networked server so we can share is with the rest of the team.

We can't wait to install Project Server.